Learn kayak safety, paddling techniques, strokes, rescues, and navigation. Master equipment care and complete water trips to earn this merit badge.

Requirements

  1. 1. Staying Safe on the Water

    Hazards, Injuries & Safety Afloat

    Do all
    Do the following:
    1. a.

      Explain to your counselor the hazards you are most likely to encounter while participating in kayaking activities, including weather and water-related hazards, and what you should do to anticipate, help prevent, mitigate, and respond to these hazards.

    2. b.

      Review prevention, symptoms, and first-aid treatment for the following injuries or illnesses that can occur while kayaking: blisters, cold-water shock and hypothermia, heat-related illnesses, dehydration, sunburn, sprains, and strains.

    3. c.
      Review the Scouting America Safety Afloat policy. Explain to your counselor how this applies to kayaking.

  2. 2. Swimming Readiness

    Swimmer Test Readiness

    Before doing requirements 3 through 8, successfully complete the Scouting America swimmer test. Note: See the Swimming merit badge pamphlet for details about the Scouting America swimmer test.

  3. 3. Safety Gear

    Life Jackets & Rescue Equipment

    Do all
    Do the following:
    1. a.
      Review the characteristics of life jackets most appropriate for kayaking and understand why one must always be worn while paddling. Then demonstrate how to select and fit a life jacket for kayaking.
    2. b.

      Review the importance of safety equipment such as a signal device, extra paddle, sponge, bilge pump, flotation bags, and throw bag.

  4. 4. Know Your Boat

    Kayak Parts, Design & Care

    Do all
    Do the following:
    1. a.

      Name and point out the major parts of a kayak.

    2. b.
      Review the differences in the design between recreational, whitewater, and sea or touring kayaks. Include how length, width, stability, and rocker are involved in the design of each type.
    3. c.

      Explain the care, maintenance, and storage of a kayak.

  5. 5. Paddling Fundamentals

    Paddle Skills & Paddle Care

    Do all
    Discuss the following:
    1. a Correct methods for the use of a kayak paddle
    2. b Parts of a paddle
    3. c The care and maintenance of a paddle

  6. 6. Rescues & Recovery

    Capsize Recovery Skills

    Do all
    Using a properly equipped kayak with an open cockpit, a sit-on-top, or an inflatable kayak, do the following:
    1. a Safely capsize and perform a wet exit.
    2. b Reenter the kayak with assistance from a buddy boat.
    3. c Demonstrate a kayak-over-kayak rescue.
    4. d Demonstrate the HELP position.
    5. e Capsize the kayak, swim it and the paddle to shore, and empty water from the kayak with assistance if needed.

  7. 7. Solo Stroke Skills

    Essential Kayak Strokes

    Do all
    As a solo paddler, use a properly equipped kayak to demonstrate the following:
    1. a Forward stroke
    2. b Backstroke
    3. c Forward sweep
    4. d Reverse sweep
    5. e Draw stroke
    6. f Stern draw

  8. 8. Boat Control

    Maneuvering with Control

    Do all
    As a solo paddler, use a properly equipped kayak to demonstrate the following:
    1. a.

      Paddle a straight line for 15 to 20 boat lengths using appropriate strokes while maintaining trim and balance of the kayak.

    2. b.

      Spin or pivot from a stationary position 180 degrees (half circle) to the right and left within two boat lengths.

    3. c.

      Move abeam to the right 10 feet and to the left 10 feet.

    4. d.

      Stop the boat in one boat length.

    5. e.

      While maintaining forward motion, turn the kayak 90 degrees to the right and left.

    6. f.

      Move the kayak backward three to four boat lengths using appropriate and effective reverse strokes.

    7. g.

      Paddle the kayak in a buoyed figure 8 course around markers three to four boat lengths apart.